'Million Veteran March' to be held Tuesday

NO REPORTS OF INJURIES AND AT LEAST ONE ARREST WAS MADE. VETERANS HERE IN JACKSONVILLE JOINED THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT SAYING THAT THEY ARE OUTRAGED OVER THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT IS TREATING THEM IN THE MIDST OF THIS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. FAMILIES OF FALLEN SOLDIERS BEING TURNED AWAY AT MEMORIAL PARKS AS YOU JUST SAW, WHERE SOLDIERS ARE HONORED. AND WE'RE HEARING THAT VETERANS PAY CAN BE CUT. VETERANS HELD A RALLY TODAY IN PREPARATIONS FOR THE MILLION VETERAN MARCH SCHEDULED TO TUESDAY IN WHITE HOUSE. WE SPOKE WITH SEVERAL VERY EMOTIONAL AMERICAN HEROES AT THE EVENT. THE VETERANS GATHERED HERE AT THE MEMORIAL WALL DOWNTOWN EACH HAVE A STORY OF COMMITMENT AND SACRIFICE, WHICH IS WHY THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON ARE CLOSING MEMORIAL PARKS AND THREATENING TO CUT VETERAN BENEFITS. I JUST WANT TO CRY. IT MAKES ME ANGRY. THERE IS NO NEED. THESE ARE OPEN MONUMENTS. MEMORIALS ARE FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY DIED AND SACRIFICED AND FAMILIES. IT IS JUST SHAMEFUL. CAROL ORR WHO SERVED IN THE MARINES AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS ARE SUPPORTING WHAT IS CALLED THE MILLION VETERAN MARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ON TUESDAY VETERANS WILL STAGE A MAJOR EVENT AT THE WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL PUSHING FOR AN END TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT IS DEVASTATING THEIR FAMILY. EVEN THE YOUNGER KIDS GETTING OUT OF COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL THAT WOULD CONSIDER GOING INTO THE MILITARY, I BELIEVE IT IS CHANGING THEIR MINDS. YOU KNOW, WHEN I SHOULD WE GO FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY THAT IS NOT GOING TO STAND UP FOR US. 3.8 MILLION VETERANS ARE IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING THEIR EARNED BENEFITS ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. NEARLY HALF OF A MILLION CLAIMS ARE BACK-LOGGED AT THE VA. THE VETERANS HERE SAY IT HAS CAUSED THEM A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND UNNECESSARY UNCERTAINTY. THEY SAY THEY DO NOT FEEL APPRECIATED FOR ALL THEY'VE SACRIFICED. IT IS JUST BEYOND BELIEF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CARE FOR THE VETERANS THAT GAVE US THEIR, WERE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR LIVES. OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE NOT DOING THE JOBS, EVERY ONE OF THEM SHOULD

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

Veterans across the country and in Jacksonville say they are outraged over the way the government is treating them in the midst of a government shutdown that has families of fallen soldiers turned away from memorial parks and threatens to end veterans disability payments.

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A rally was held Sunday at the Memorial Wall by EverBank Field in preparation for a Million Veteran March in Washington D.C. on Tuesday.

The veterans who gathered at the Memorial Wall each have a story of commitment and sacrifice, which is why they can't understand why politicians in Washington are closing memorial parks, and threatening to cut veteran benefits.

"I just want to cry," says Carol Orr, a U.S. Marine. "It makes me angry. There's no need. These are open monuments for people who have already died and sacrificed their families. It's shameful.”

Orr and hundreds of others are supporting what's being called the Million Veteran March in Washington. On Tuesday, veterans will stage a major event in the World War II Memorial, pushing for an end to the government shutdown, that's devastating their families.

"Its discouraging," says U.S. Marine Ray Stephens. "Even the younger kids considering joining the military, it's changing their minds. Why should we fight for a country that’s not going to stand up for us?”

According to the secretary of the Veterans Affairs Committee, 3.8 million veterans are in jeopardy of losing their earned benefits. Nearly half a million disability claims are currently backlogged at the Veterans Administration, and GI Bill benefits are on the chopping block as well.

The veterans says the shutdown has caused a lot of frustration and unnecessary uncertainty. They say they don't feel appreciated for all they've sacrificed.

U.S. Marine Magnus Wallen says, "It's just beyond belief that you can't provide or give care for the veterans who gave up or were willing to give up their lives.”

"Our government officials are not doing their jobs as far as I'm concerned," Stephens says. "And each and every one of them should be voted out.”

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